Stephen R. Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has been a top seller for the simple reason that it ignores trends and pop psychology for proven principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. Celebrating its 15th year of helping people solve personal and professional problems, this special anniversary edition includes a new forward and afterword written by Covey that explore whether the 7 Habits are still relevant.

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Stephen R. Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has been a top seller for the simple reason that it ignores trends and pop psychology for proven principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. Celebrating its 15th year of helping people solve personal and professional problems, this special anniversary edition includes a new forward and afterword written by Covey that explore whether the 7 Habits are still relevant and answer some of the most common questions he has received over the past 15 years.

This audio edition is the first ever unabridged recording of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

This is one of my top ten books of all time for lifelong contemplation.

Key themes of Proactivity; Setting and following priorities; Re-scripting according to principles; Win-Win; Listening to understand others; Synergy; and Renewal are fundamental, timeless and universal.

Dr. Covey's approach is unequalled in breadth and depth, while being entirely accessible to any human being. Everything he writes complements everything I've learned in life, while laboring to uproot any weeds that have grown in my internal garden. Having Dr. Covey read the material to me personally... it's the icing on the cake!

I read "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" when it first appeared decades ago; read it a second time five years later; and now, thanks to Audible, I've begun a profound study and contemplation of the material, that would have otherwise been too tedious to handle, given my other time commitments, as well as the fact that, since my work is about 90% in front of the computer, my eyes tire quickly before printed material in my non-work time.

I organize my listening in two ways: listening in the logical, step by step, chapter by chapter method on the one hand, imagining myself attending a 7 Habits seminar or class; and listening for hours at a time as I lie down to rest/relax/sleep on the other. The result is I end up hearing the material over and over, provoking thoughts and contemplations about where I am in life, where I want to go, and what I need to do to get there. I expect the process to last about six months. My goal from the reading: A complete paradigm re-adjustment for life.

The material in the book is great and I highly recommend it. This audio version, however, is very difficult to listen to because the author speaks so slowly and pauses so often. I had the feeling that I could have listened to the unabridged version in half the time if read by another narrator. I found myself zoning while listening to the book, rewinding it so I could listen to it again, and by the time I got to the part I had missed, I was zoning again.

My 3 star rating is based on the audio itself, not the content. I highly recommend the book itself, and I may even buy the abridged version so I can refresh myself on the material.

This book provides excellent insights into dealing with others through
introspection. It touches on Victor Frankel and others who provide examples of how to turn adversity into assets. This book is not a traditional self help book, but a companion to guide the listener into ones self.

It is a wonderful feeling to come across a book where you feel that you really got your money's worth and that you really are learning something new and exciting that would greatly improve the way you think and live. Dr. Covey really got me thinking about so many things that I could really improve on and just what he said about not "getting in the thick of thin things" alone is worth every penny. I want to be a better husband and a better father to my children and strongly believe following the principals he identified will greatly help me achieve that.

Sadly this book is contrarian to a lot of what goes on in our society. Thus I constantly have to "try" to practice these principles. But the trying is worth it. I have used this book as a standard for turning around the cultures of two manufacturing plants after I was hired from the outside. Those turn-arounds were only accomplished because the principles in this book work and because, if patiently applied, they give a management team a common vocabularly for they way they treat each other and their associates. My only function was to act as catalyst and insist that these principles be practiced. After a couple of years, in both cases the stress levels were way down, the morale was way up, and the performance was beyond anything known before and certainly beyond expectation. In my current assisgnment we're saving over $3M per year (450 people) and the roots of that accomplishment are in this book. It's a book to listen to, to absorb, and to go back to over and over again. An annual tuneup by listening to this program, is typical of those who REALLY try to adopt the 7 Habits (and model them). It's tough to be a perfect practitioner. One can only read and try...

Steven Covey's message is as valid now as it was when the book was first published and listening to it on audiobook is great way to refresh those lessons we thought we wouldn't forget after reading it so long ago. My only critque of the audiobook is that Covey mispronouces words so often that it causes one to wonder why he would narrate his own book. I recommend the audiobook if you have read the book before and are willing to listen to his original pronunciation.

If you really want to change your life for the better, read this book. I would suggest not listening to this in the car, but in the quiet of your home and make notes as you do. You will truly change the way you go through life and the way you understand other people.

Dr Covey is a man of character and demonstrates that in his book. I read this book several years ago and loaned it to someone but never got it back. I've been traveling a lot lately and decided to download this to listen to while traveling and really enjoyed the refresher. Key points that really hit home around Win-Win or Walk Away resonated with me again and the key points to business and personal relationships really renewed my perspectives.
I would have preferred this book not be so long, 11 hours is a bit much and possibly could have been condensed but I'd be afraid it would lose its impact. Regardless, great book but misses 5 stars for me for length.

Like others on here I initially found the voice monotone and dry with none of the usual punch and uplift found in other personal improvement readings. But on reflection I think that this bland style works better in the long run. It allows you to listen, really listen to what he is saying rather than be short term uplifted. A long book taken at what seems a leisurely pace but I do not think it could have been shortened and still get the message across. This is a casserole not a microwave meal.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Triplecat

London

1/23/09

Overall

"Highly recommended."

I'd known about this book for a long time and it was always on my list of books to read (listen to). I found the 7 habits fascinating. The age of the book does come across and it is a little preachy but Stephen Covey's research, conclusions and insights are staggering in their depth. Although you come away feeling that a lot of what he says is common sense, the vast majority of people, including myself, would never think in those terms. Stephen unravels what it is to be human and how to make the most of that gift. I can't believe anyone listening could fail to benefit hugely from the experience.

22 of 24 people found this review helpful

Leon

Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

6/16/06

Overall

"7 Habits, constructive change not quick-fix"

I took the time to listen to the unabridged version. Audible could do with reviewing the encoding but other than that the book was excellent.

This book is required reading for managers in the 21st century as is the 8th habit. This was an easy listen (even the unabridged version) and Stephen Covey is a great narrator. I'd recommend this book to all.

65 of 73 people found this review helpful

Chris

waterlooville, hampshire, United Kingdom

8/20/09

Overall

"good stuff"

i thought this was interesting and useful book. The behaviours (habits) make alot of sense
It is a tad preachy at the end. If your in a toss up between this and how to win friends and influence people i think the later is better

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Stair

Northumberland, UK

5/23/12

Overall

"Get over the hangup - does NOT push religion"

There are a few reviewers who have written off the book because the author happens to merely mention - in one sentence in the prologue - that he is a Christian. Surely the problem is no more than if he had mentioned being an atheist? - Anyway it is irrelevant to the content of the book and has no bearing on the concept, which is well researched and solid. The author has presented to boards of directors of major international companies and organisations and they wouldn't buy into crap and this is in no way wishy-washy or spiritual, the principles are well set out and argued.
I let the voice - which some may find jarring - pass over me and listened to the content which was what I bought it for after all.
Very insightful and well organised.
As an open minded individual - as far as one may be - why are so many people so touchy as to junk an entire book that is well reviewed by many business leaders and thinkers (and others) simply because an author mentions that he/she has a belief system? Very odd methinks...perhaps there may be something in it. Must look deeper myself perhaps - shall look in the relevant Audible category for a scholarly work without a strong agenda in either direction methinks! - Any suggestions anyone?

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Atif

East ham, London, United Kingdom

3/23/11

Overall

"Helped me focus on who I am"

brilliant book.Layed out principles that are common for all people and essential for success. it helped me to re-focus on what is important for me in life and how to reprioritise my life around my principals.
A must listen for anyone and everyone

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Alan

SixmilecrossUnited Kingdom

4/13/10

Overall

"Must Read"

If you have not yet read this book then you really should. It has been very influential and contains a wealth of ideas. If you only read one personal development book it should be this one. The audio book is well read by the author and is easy to follow and quite entertaining.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Paul

Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom

8/2/07

Overall

"Life changing"

You can now have your cake and eat it. Having read a lot of management books, this is the one that will change your outlook on family and work. You will learn over time to do things differently and take control of those aspects of your life that at the moment might be controlling you.
The book is very readable and listening to Stephen Covey is even better.

26 of 30 people found this review helpful

bookwormbadger

Gloucestershire

3/18/11

Overall

"A great listen"

A very empowering book with lots of easy to do, useful ideas for leading a happier, more fulfilling life. Well worth a listen.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

David

Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom

3/13/11

Overall

"awful"

Nothing wrong with the book or the habits but this audio book has a crucial flaw - its read by the author who just isn't up to the job in my humble opinion. A few other reviewers mention this also so you've been warned!

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